ordering principles

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Primary Sources in the Classroom Smithsonian Institution Archives

James Renwick, Jr.: Smithsonian Architect Institutional History Division

Introduction siarchives.si.edu

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Ordering Principles

Over the course of history architectural historians and architects have discovered

ordering principles that are inherent in designs and can be used to break down the

components of a building to study the relationships between these parts.

Occasionally architects think about their designs in terms of these principles, but

they are primarily used as tools to understand what the design achieves. A few of

the most useful ordering principles are defined below.

Axis: An axis is a central line that helps to organize a design.

Often there is an axis at the center of a building or over adoorway. When architects use an axis or focal point in their

design it acts like a straight arrow on a sign, pointing you in the

right direction.

Symmetry:Symmetry refers to the geometry of a building and

occurs if the building is the same on either side of an axis. There

are many types of symmetry but the three that are most

commonly used in architecture are lateral (the two sides are mirror

images of each other), and can be vertical (up and down axis) or

horizontal (across axis).

Hierarchy:A hierarchy is a system which organizes items based

on how important they are, with the most important things being

the most obvious. In architecture, a hierarchy is most often

established through the use of shape, size, color, or location. A

design element will stand out if it is noticeably different from the

rest of the design.

Rhythm/Repetition: Rhythm is established through the use of

repeated forms. In architecture, repetition refers to a pattern in

which the same shape, size, or color is used over and over again

throughout the design. If that shape then changes but is still


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recognizable it demonstrates rhythm.

Transformation: A form that repeats can also be said to show

transformation if it looks a little different each time. Sometimes

shapes transform by getting bigger or smaller but they might also

rotate, stretch, or morph into a different shape.

Datum: A datum is a form which ties together or

anchors all other elements of the design. It can be a

line, like a road with houses arranged along its

length, a flat plane, or even a 3D space. Many

buildings all share a plane which acts as a clear

datum its the ground on which they are built!

Ordering Principles

Keep in mind that some ordering principles are similar and can be hard to

distinguish, because these terms are all interrelated and frequently overlap. The

easiest way to find ordering principles is to look at a building, a floor plan, or a map

and see what catches your eye; then ask yourself: What part of the building is most

noticeable? What did the architect do to make it stand out?

For example, the National Mall in Washington DC is an

axis that runs from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln

Memorial and divides the city into four distinct

quadrants. It is also a datum along which many of the

Smithsonians museums are arranged. The Mall itself is a

track of lawns and paths arranged within asymmetrical rectangle. The Lincoln memorial, the

Washington Monument, and the Capitol stand out

because of their size, distinctive shapes, and the clear

line that connects them. These factors demonstrate the


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way that city planners established a hierarchyon the Mall.

Renwicks Use of Ordering Principles

Have students highlight Renwicks use of ordering principles.

Axis Axis

Symmetry Symmetry

Hierarchy Hierarchy


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Repetition/Rhythm Repetition/Rhythm

Transformation Transformation

Datum Datum


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Renwicks Use of Ordering Principles (Teachers Reference)

Axis Axis

Symmetry Symmetry

Hierarchy Hierarchy


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Repetition/Rhythm Repetition/Rhythm

Transformation Transformation

Datum Datum


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Additional Student Exercise

Have your students draw an outline of your school building or a

nearby building with interesting architecture, showing major

architectural elements such as windows, columns, and doors.

Have them then identify the major shapes, symmetry and

asymmetry, hierarchy and transformation, and note where the

architect used these ordering principles. What is the datum that

holds the design together?

ordering principles

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